Friday, December 29, 2017

Well, this waking nightmare of a year is almost over. I can’t say I’ll miss it. I can’t say it hasn’t been complete garbage. But I can say we have to take our happiness where we can. In this moment in history – where unabashed bigotry, greed and hatred is the norm – joy can be an act of rebellion in and of itself. Celebrate our victories, support each other, find our joy. It wasn’t easy, but I found some joy this year. In those closest to me, in those I love. I hope you found the same. And may we all find more and more of it in the year ahead.

This year has been draining in ways its hard to fully comprehend. So much rage and fear and sorrow and exhaustion and despair. Sometimes it’s hard to keep believing. But in those moments it helps to look around at this ridiculously vast land, this country cobbled together by immigrants, this patchwork of every imaginable kind of human. America doesn’t always feel beautiful. But, underneath it all, it can be so much more. And that, that is always worth fighting for. May you end this year in peace, and may you find more joy in 2018. Happy end of 2017 weekend, all.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Jessica is back, baby. After a two-year break (fine, she popped up in “The Defenders,” but I’m increasingly uninterested in ensemble casts with one token female and a ton of boring dudes), “Jessica Jones” is finally returning for her second season. While I probably won’t be recapping like I did the first season, I will most definitely be watching. Sadly there’s no glimpse Jeri Hogarth (a.k.a. Carrie-Anne Moss a.k.a. Trinity) in the teaser. But she should be back for the second season. Let’s hope she gets her life/moral compass in order. Though, who are we kidding, I’d still be into her character if she remained a morally ambiguous power lesbian all the same. Especially if they keep using Heart as a soundtrack to the season. Bring it in 2018, ladies.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

I haven’t been watching “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” It’s not that I have anything in particular against the show. I’ve just never been a huge Andy Samberg fan. But I enjoy the other actors. And I greatly enjoy the bi coming out storyline for one Det. Rosa Diaz. I watched both her coming out episode and her coming out to her family episodes earlier this month because, you know, it’s like a rule I have to watch all the queer lady everything. And it was good; it was very, very good. And I’m not just talking about Rosa’s tank top. Though, *low whistle* that was also good.

Stories Rosa’s are essential in showing the full range of experiences in the LGBTQ spectrum. Coming out as lesbian is not the same as coming out as gay or coming out as bisexual or coming out as transgender or coming out as queer and so on. We must note each identity, and each experience, as distinct and important. So to show Rosa struggle, as a bisexual woman of color, with the “it’s just a phase” and “you can still marry a man” stereotypes associated with bisexuality speaks for so many who maybe haven’t seen themselves before. And that is always wonderful.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Look, I know Christmas was yesterday, but who is to say we can’t celebrate a second day? (Heck that song with the partridge says we can celebrate 12 days, dammit.) But instead of two turtle doves, on this second day of Christmas I give you eight awesome ladies. I know, I know – you might have seen it already since the “Ocean’s Eight” trailer was released before Christmas. But, let’s be honest, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

p.s. I love every. single. thing. Cate Blanchett is wearing.

p.p.s. I also love what Awkwafina is wearing.

p.p.s. And what Sandy is wearing.

p.p.p.s. And what Sandy is doing to Sarah here.

p.p.p.p.s. Fine, I love everything, everyone, all of it, the whole eight-chilada.

Friday, December 22, 2017

It’s been a crazy holiday season and I won’t have a chance to write about “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” until after Christmas. (So, you know, NO SPOILERS.) Because of that I’ve tried to stay away from reviews and interviews and behind-the-scenes whatnot. But what I do know is I’m already beyond excited about Rose Tico. If you ever need any evidence that representation matters, please witness Kelly Marie Tran (who portrays Tico) react to seeing a fan cosplay as her on the red carpet. Yeah, it fucking matters.

As a little Asian girl growing up in the Midwest who love, love, loved the “Star Wars” movies, if you told me one day a young Asian woman would play a major role in that galaxy far, far away I would have died of happiness. The little girl in me still might. Happy representation weekend, all.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Happy Carol Day, lesbians! Rejoice, queer ladies everywhere, for today is the day Carol Aird and Therese Belivet had their second date. After that first gloved lunch over creamed spinach and poached eggs, this one involved a Christmas tree, Billie Holiday tune and sapphic intentions veiled as photographic ambitions.

It also involved the most amazing pick up line possibly ever. “Invite me around,” indeed. May we all be so bold, always.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

This is funny in less of a “Hahaha”-kind of way and more of a “Seriously, how is this our reality”-kind of way. But, regardless, it is nice to see Jodie break out the old Clarice again. She’s still got it. All I want for Christmas is a nice chianti and for Mueller to not get fired.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

It’s easy to get discouraged in this day and age and president. Terrible things keep happening and terrible people keep letting it happen. But never lose heart that change is possible. We can reverse, or at least heal, some of the damage. And people can change for the better. Take Nathan Mathis, a 74-year-old peanut farmer from Alabama. His story went viral after he staged a lone protest at a Roy Moore rally last week. (Side Note: How great is it to not have to worry about that monster going to the senate anymore? So fucking great.) Mr. Mathis held a sign in honor of his late daughter, Patti Sue Mathis, who was gay and committed suicide and whose very existence Roy Moore thought should be illegal. Ellen had Nathan on her show late last week and it was, well, wonderful. People can change, the world can get better and a peanut farmer from Alabama can make a difference.

Friday, December 15, 2017

I’ve always loved Kate Winslet; there’s just always been something wonderfully cheeky about her. She seems sort of delightful, in that specifically British way of being delightful. And this interview with Stephen Colbert where she reenacts the famous Jack and Rose on the door scene is no exception. Cheeky, delightful.

The interesting thing about our particular cultural moment we live in right now is how much more we’ve started asking that our celebrities be more than just being cheeky and delightful. As the reckoning against Bad Men continues, so does our desire to see the people we elevate to stardom have a collective conscience on this issue.

It’s beyond time that actors and actresses abandon the “but he was good to me” attitude about these Bad Men. And we must continue to demand more than excuses for not holding them accountable for all of their actions. Cheeky and delightful is nice. Socially aware and responsible is nicer. There’s room on the door for both, Kate, I promise. Happy weekend, all.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

It’s been a hell of a year – emphasis on hell. So I think you deserve some women in suits and ties. And in black and white, no less. Consider it an attempt to right some of the cosmic imbalance of this year. It’s not much, but we have to take our joy wherever we can find it.

Robin Wright
She looks great in a tank top, she looks great in a suit, looks great in the Oval Office.

Lena Headey
I would watch a 12-hour documentary of just Lena walking around in this suit, vest, pants combo. I really would.

Janelle Monae
Not to be demanding, but I want Janelle to start wearing more suits out in public again.

Alicia Vikander
I may not be 100 percent sold on her as Lara Croft yet. But in this suit I’m willing to listen.

Myrna Loy
Vintage Gender Fuck is my no-so-secret favorite.

Patricia Clarkson
The first time I saw her in a film I thought she was German. And also a lesbian. And possibly a heroin addict.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Well, holy shit, Alabama did it. Let me rephrase that, black voters and particularly black women in Alabama did it. They elected Doug Jones the next senator from Alabama and rejected Roy Moore for being a repulsive pedophile and hate monger. Not that it should have been a contest in the first place, but I’ll take the damn win.

Honestly, this is the most emotionally invested I've been in anything happening in Alabama since Ruth tried to teach Idgie how to cook fried green tomatoes.

Here’s the thing: We needed this. Granted, we always need a man who successfully prosecuted the KKK to beat a man who was permanently banned from the mall for perving on 14-year-old girls. But on a larger scale we, Democratic and progressive voters, needed this. We needed to be reminded that not every American voter is awful. We needed to have our faith in (some) of the American electorate is restored.

And, most importantly, we need to be reminded that black women have been trying to save us from ourselves for pretty much ever. In yesterday’s special election 98 percent of black women voted for Doug Jones. Yes, 98 PERCENT. Compare that to the 63 percent of white women who voted for Roy Moore. Add that to the 94 percent of black women who voted for Hillary Clinton (not to mention the 52 percent of white women who voted for Trump) and, well, a trend emerges. Righters of wrongs, queens beyond compare.

To the parts of the party who keep insisting we need to shift all of our focus to the white working class at the exclusion of so-called “identity politics,” let me be perfectly clear. Black women and people of color have been the left’s most reliable and resilient voting base. You ignore and downplay us at your own peril.

The other lesson, of course, is voting matters. We cannot become so disillusioned from the process and simply throw up our hands. Democracy is often disappointing. But your vote is your voice. So use it.

Expect a lot of sound and fury from a bunch of pundits in the coming days about what it all means. And, of course, there will be the inevitable 3 a.m. Trump dump tweet. But, remember, the secret’s in the sauce.

And, if they wont listen to reason, there’s always Towanda.

E.T.A.: The Idgie and Ruth gif is in reference to the joke in the second paragraph, not a celebration of white women's voting records. Also, I actually did try to find a gif of Sipsey saying "Secret's in the sauce," but there isn't one. Which, I guess, is its own comment on things.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

I (thankfully) never watched “House of Cards.” But now that they’re returning for a sixth and final season without Kevin Spacey and with Robin Wright I just might consider it. Finally, a smart woman replaces a bad man. Now, if only the real world worked like this as well. Say hello to Madame President. And can I just say this President Underwood looks stellar in a tank top.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Hello, hi, hey there. Only two weeks until Christmas. (And if you celebrate another holiday, please respectfully insert the appropriate days until that.) But here is an early holiday gift for everyone: Kate McKinnon doing Gal Gadot’s accent. Look, I may just be a Midwestern Toad, but I know the perfect present when I hear it.

p.s. Something else perfect, this reminds me of this. Which, of course, is very very (very very) good.

Friday, December 08, 2017

Look, it has not been the best time to be a Democrat in America. With the GOP controlling the House, Senate and Executive Branch (and don’t even get me started on the Judiciary), we don’t have a lot of bright spots right now. And they’re letting Orange Voldemort ruin, like, everything (seriously, everything). So what is there to look forward to if your politics run Democratic these days? Well, how about Dana Nessel? She is a Democrat running for Attorney General of Michigan. And let me tell you, she has released my favorite political ad of the 2018 election cycle. Granted, we’re not terribly far into the 2018 election cycle, but something tells me her ad will stand out for quite a while. Look, if I lived in Michigan she would have my vote. And that’s not just because she promises not show me her penis in a professional setting. Happy weekend and let’s vote the Republicans out in 2018, all.

Thursday, December 07, 2017

The “Carol Effect” is alive and well. First “Disobedience” with its questionable spitting, then “Vita & Virginia” with its lush first look, and well we haven’t seen much out of “Tell It to the Bees” just yet. But now we have our first look at the lesbian love that took an axe. Kristen Stewart and Chloe Sevigny are starring as lesbian lovers in the new Lizzie Borden movie. “Lizzie” tells the infamous story of Lizzie (played by Chloe) who was accused (and acquitted) of axe murdering of her family in 1892. K-Stew will play the Borden’s live-in maid and Lizzie’s live-in gal pal. The film has been described as a “gothic psychological thriller with an indelible romance at its core.” So, what you’re saying is they’re each other’s Totino?

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

This clip has so much amazing going for it. Daisy Ridley wielding a lightsaber. Gwendoline Christie suited up in Phasma gear. Kelly Marie Tran as a Resistance fighter. My inner girl nerd is in full squee. Go get ‘em, ladies.

Monday, December 04, 2017

Get someone who looks at you like the late, great Edie Windsor looks at Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bernhard who are clearly deep in conversation about what Carol and Therese did after they locked eyes in that restaurant.

Friday, December 01, 2017

As we all know, the cast of the short-lived but eternally beloved “My So-Called Life” has done pretty well for itself. Angela Chase is an only somewhat overly paranoid CIA agent. Jordan Catalano has an Oscar (cough, shoulda been played by an actual trans woman, cough) and a band. Rickie Vasquez is still ridiculously handsome and making the world a better, gayer place. And, of course, Brian Krakow is a lesbian man named Lisa.

But what of the beautiful, free-spirited, slightly broken Rayanne Graff? Well, don’t worry, she’s doing just fine. She’s a countess and lives in a castle now.

Now, you may recall back in 2005 Rayanne actress A.J. Langer married Charles Courtenay, who just so happened to be the 19th Earl of Devon. They had two kids and lived in LA until 2015 when his father died they moved to his ancestral home of Powderham Castle in the English countryside. Like a real, legit castle.

People has a nice little profile on the happy family. And I have to say they look very happy and also OMG RAYANNE LIVES IN A CASTLE. Happy weekend, countesses and everyone else.